Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)

Utilization of microalgae for bioremediation of wastewaters with the concomitant production of biofuels and added value bio-products is a rapidly expanding and developing area of interest reflected in the current scientific literature. Much of the early investigative attention and research approach focused upon the wastewater engineering aspects of the technology. Nevertheless, more recent interest into microalgae led to an integration of the fundamental engineering background into a much wider interdisciplinary research platform also including cell biology and phycology research protocols among others. However, the strong current interest in the wastewater and algal for biofuel research is not matched by equally sustained process modelling activities, a concern that must be addressed if sustainable production management is to be expected. Moreover, wastewater nutrient utilisation is mainly considered in treatment terms and less for optimization of algal production. To complicate the matter wastewaters are of a wide range of sources and consequently have a wide range of properties. Considering that the capability of an algal species to utilize nutrients in a certain chemical form and at certain concentrations and ratios may vary, an adequate understanding of both wastewater parameters and algal requirements, both kinetic properties, would benefit algal cultivation. However a review of the available literature shows that reporting of experimental results does not follow a standardized protocol and thus much of the information available in the peer-reviewed literature cannot be always easily explained, compared or replicated. This leads to inconsistencies in reporting of experimental results, which limits a concerted approach and thus a more rapid advancement of the technology.
Thus this project aims to bridge current modeling approaches with experimental data to construct standardized monitoring and reporting framework for algae in wastewater cultivation experiments. Consistent reporting and decision support systems capable to support predictions of the growth behaviour of algae in various wastewaters will accelerate the transfer of information from experimental to production conditions, anywhere in the world where algae for biomass, bio-products and wastewater treatments are employed.
Over four years the project will train one PhD, three MSc, and at least 3 undergraduate students, all advised within a collaborative network expanding beyond the province’s borders, while developing a program unique to the province and create the premises for a collaborative platform for a research network carrying out investigations globally relevant.